Drill and standard drill bit (if you are choosing to use a melamine bowl and plate like I did)

If you want to use ceramic or porcelain bowls and plates, buy a drill bit designed to drill them

Bowl and Plate (mine came from Target at less than $2 each)

Large carriage bolt, I used 10"x 5/8"

I would have used an eye bolt if I found one of the size I needed, but I didn't, so I couldn't

Three washers that will fit your bolt

Three nuts that will fit your bolt

Glue (I like to use CA glue)

If you use a carriage bolt like myself, you will also need some nylon cord

The trickiest part of making the bird feeder is drilling your holes. Plastic has a tendancy to crack, chip and break. I will show you how to avoid that. Take a block of scrap wood and place it directly under where you are drilling.

Even with the block of wood, because the bowl and plate isn't perfectly flat, you might have a bit of chipping, but that shouldn't be a problem. You are just trying to avoid cracking the plate or having a large blow out.

See, even mine chipped. Not a big deal, it won't be seen. Once you drill the holes in the center of your bowl and plate, it's time to assemble your piece.

Place a washer on your bolt and then bring your bolt up through the bottom part of your bowl.

It will be very wobbly, so you will need to sandwich the washers around the bowl with glue. The order goes, washer, glue, bowl, glue, washer.

Then you will take a nut and thread it a few inches down. Your plate will sit directly on top of this nut.

Place your plate on the nut, then thread another nut so that the plate sits between the two. Hand tighten them so your plate doesn't move, but not so hard that you crack the plate.

Then place another washer and another nut on your bolt. This step is only necessary if you used a carriage bolt like I did. If you found a large eye bolt, your assembly will be in reverse.

I will show you the the reason for the stacking of the nuts and washers on the top. Did you ever do make lanyard keychains/bracelets out of the plastic cord as a kid? I hope so, because that is how you are going to make your loop. So, cut yourself two pieces of nylon cord about 2 feet long each.

First, tie a simple overhand knot (the first knot you make when tying a shoe) with each piece of cord. Make sure the knot is around the middle of the cord.

Then you start doing a lanyard knot (technically called a crown sinnet knot) over the top of the washer, but make sure your overhand knot stays tight while doing so. If you aren't comfortable with your overhand knot, glue it before proceeding to your crown sinnet knot.

I found a great animation on how to do the crown sinnet knot...so if you don't understand how to do it, please visit Animated Knots by Grog to check it out.

Once you have created a few inches of the crown sinnet knot, take two strands of cord and make some loops like so. You will then take your two remaining strands of cord and tie an overhand knot around the base of your loops.

Pull it very tight. You don't want it to come loose. Then, cut the excess cord off. Cut close to the base of your knot

You will need to burn the ends of your nylon cord. This will cause it to melt and expand a little. This will make sure your cord doesn't unravel and your knots won't come out. The above photo shows burned cord ends on the right, and unburned ones on the left.

All you have left to do is go fill your bowl with bird seed, hang it outside and wait to see what feathery friends come to visit. It took less than a day for my first feathery friend to discover the new bird feeder. Once that happened, I've had regular visitors ever since!

I hope you create your own bird feeder. I would love to see pics of any you make! If you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Thanks for this wonderful idea... I just love the colors you used. I will make a few for myself and my children.. again thanks for this ~ wonderful ~ ides...We I get them done I will send you photos.Nancy

This is really adorable! I'd love to make one of these for my dad, but his wife doesn't like all of the birds making a mess in the yard (and he already has quite a few feeders!). I might change my mind, though, since it is so cute!

I love this I think that my son (almost 3) and I will have to make one he would love it. I pinned this project and I am sure I will be doing one soon. (I am visiting from not just a housewife link-up party, shaffer-sister.blogspot.com)

I love this project and just rummaged through some second hand stores for a few cute cups and saucers. I'm wondering if it would work with a dowel instead of the carriage bold. Or maybe I could just paint the bolt. Or maybe try hanging the cup using a chain or something. Any thoughts?

The hardest part with a dowel would be figuring out how to attach a hook. If it was a large enough dowel you could screw a hook into the top. You could also definitely paint the bolt. The chain I don't think would work because the cup/bowl would tip over anytime a bird landed on the edge. Good luck with building one, I would to see a picture of one if you build it.

How did you get the bowl to stop wobbling? I made this today, using the exact materials you used, and the bowl has nothing to stick to and keeps rocking back and forth - perhaps Gorilla Glue's expansion while drying will help?

My BFF and I got the supplies to make the feeder today. We found the plates and bowls at the local St. Vinney's shop. We came home and put it right together, no problem. The plate did chip a bit, and the bowl some tiny cracks, but the washers cover all the little flaws! Thank you so much for this tutorial! I'd love to send you a pic, but not sure how to do it. :-)

Erin, I HAD to tackle this and I am HOOKED! I did make a couple modifications and will try and get a better picture tonight. I bought the target plates/bowls and drilled holes. I was able to find a 12 eye hook, and then bought Copper pipe (plumbing section) to slip in between the Plate and bowl. You then use the nut on the bottom and there's not a WIGGLE to be found! =) The copper will then patina as well... Will send you a pic tonight from the yard...

I saw some of these at our local market sale on the town square. Have searched online over an hour. LOVE THESE!!! I have a question about the drilling part. Can you use a hand drill to do this? It's the only kind I have. :-). Greatest and most crafty feeders ever!!

I haven't had any problem with drainage. My feeder is on the edge of a covered porch. The food has gotten wet before, but not soaked. The birds keep it relatively clean (the sparrows do a great job at throwing out all the shells and husks from the seed). I don't see water being a problem if your plate on top is large enough and you take it in if you expect a large/windy rainstorm.

Remembered this pin this morning. I was disassembling a trophy bound for the trash. I was looking to get some findings and raw materials for miniatures projects and in the process salvaged 3 carriage bolts with nuts and washers. Now to get me some pretty bowls and plates. I may save this project for when my niece gets here for a summer visit next week. I'll bet she knows those knots. Thanks for sharing this!

Now that is what I call a discount bird feeder. You can make this from things that you have at home. It is really nice too and it is not something that will cost you a bunch of money if you wanted to go and get new items to make this.Jak Manson | http://www.lindaandbobsmall.com/default.asp?dept_id=30060

My mom is a huge fan of the birds that come and nest in her trees. I would love to surprise her with some crafts that we can assemble to make our own bird feeders. She is less mobile, and I want to spend the afternoon with her assembling bird feeders and chit chatting.

I've always loved the great experience it is to have bird feeders in the yard. This bird feeder is very nice for those beginning to use bird feeders. My aunt used to collect bird feeders, and she made many on her own as well. I like to have bird feeders around so birds come around more often. http://www.dodgesagway.com/p/wild-bird-food-feeders/

What a cheap way to make an adorable bird feeder!! I love this and have to pin it! Thanks for the tutorial on this.Also i have a bird feeder of my own named Peck-O-Matic a Poultry Demand Bird Feeder Kit.

I must say, usually I'm not a big fan of smaller scale projects like this, but this is an awesome idea! I'm already trying to decide which saucer and bowl I'm going to use to make it. My wife will totally love this once it's finished. Thanks for sharing your great idea! www.jrgiftworld.com

About Me

I am a *30ish* year old wife to a wonderful man, the mother to two wonderful little boys and the caretaker of two lovable dogs. I am continually striving to make myself better and learn new things as well as try new things. I love art, creating art, actually just creating anything. I enjoy puzzles and building anything. I also love sports, both playing and watching.